Lake Orion in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
A Moment in Time c.1939
Downtown Lake Orion
Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 12, 2025
1. A Moment in Time c.1939 Marker
Earl Milliman's Ford dealership & Mobil Gas Station was located on the southwest corner of North Broadway and Shadbolt. Pictured here in 1939, Floyd Lamphere (person on left) operated the gas station on that corner. George Cole (person on right) was the Orion Police Chief and at one point a Fire Chief.
Earl sold the business in 1952 which then became Russ Johnson Motor Sales. The building across North Broadway was the site of the Orion Review newspaper which began publishing in 1884.
Orion had three car dealerships during this time: L. C. Anderson (Chevrolet and Buick) 27 East Flint St., E. R. Milliman (Ford) 51 N. Broadway, and Orion Auto Sales (Dodge) 185 S. Broadway. In the 1950s there was Shafer Motor Sales (Oldsmobile) 125 S. Broadway.
Life in 1940
A new Ford coupe could be purchased for $691.
Top of the line station wagon was $1014.
Milliman Ford complete lubrication, springs, sprayed, car vacuumed, & car wash was $1.79
Erected 2022 by Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority and Orion Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
this page online
Location. 42° 47.119′ N, 83° 14.398′ W. Marker is in Lake Orion, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is on North Broadway Street near Shadbolt Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 51 North Broadway Street, Lake Orion MI 48362, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Moment in Time c.1930s (within shouting distance of this marker); A Moment in Time c.1915 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named A Moment in Time c.1939 (about 300 feet away); A Moment in Time c.1911 (about 500 feet away); The Trains of Lake Orion (about 500 feet away); Lake Orion Methodist Church
Photographed by Joel Seewald, April 12, 2025
2. A Moment in Time c.1939 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
